Youths say the young people will keep on pushing the government to implement the call made by the UN Youth Envoy who visited South Sudan last week.
Manasseh Mathiang from Anataban says UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake’s was at the right time to strengthen the call of the youths in the nation.
During her five-day mission to South Sudan, called for stakeholders to support and amplify young people’s role in the implementation of the peace process.
‘Given that people under the age of 30 years make up more than 70 percent of South Sudan’s population, it is important that they are engaged and represented in the peace process in various roles’, said Wickramanayake, the youngest top official of the UN.
She added that there should be inclusion of youth meaningfully, especially young women and girls and young people with disabilities, in the peace process.
Meanwhile Manasseh Mathiang encouraged more youth to be involved in peace and security.
The Anataban Campaign is an artist collective based in Juba, South Sudan. The group uses street theater, graffiti, murals, sculpture and poetry to foster public discussion about the issues of social injustice and government accountability, and transparency.
‘Right now the youth are pushing for the passing of the youth policy, but at the same time through the engagement of our activities, we are trying to encourage more youth to be involved in peace and security. So the UN Youth has just came to amplify the already existing voices of the youth in South Sudan’, Mathiang has said.
In a statement to CRN, the UN Youth Envoy called on government and other stakeholders to deliver on five key areas, including the adoption of the National Youth Development Policy, ratification of the African Union Charter on Youth and quality education.
She also called for an end to gender-based violence and child marriage and providing young people the space to engage meaningfully in the peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Manasseh says it is their time to be involved in all aspects to bring peace in South Sudan.
‘We need to be involved in all aspects in trying to bring peace in South Sudan in our different capacity and different level. We need to get involved in making this country the country that we desire’ he adds.
The Youth Envoy looks forward to the commitment made by President Salva Kiir to have 20 percent quota for youth representation in government decision-making.
During her visit, she listened to challenges, ideas, and solutions directly from the young people of South Sudan.
She also met with partners from the government, civil society organizations and international donors to strengthen partnership and collaboration on key developmental, humanitarian and peace building initiatives.
Undersecretary Kuac Wek Wol of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports also emphasized that implementing peace is the priority for the youth.
‘Ending war and conflict will pave the way for the youth to explore their potentials and their talents so they can realize the future that they want,’ he said.
Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Alain Noudehou, , reaffirmed UN’s commitment to the development of the young people of South Sudan.